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Walthers Interiors

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  • Member since
    July 2018
  • 43 posts
Walthers Interiors
Posted by Monon Railroader on Sunday, November 21, 2021 7:08 AM

Hi All!

I haven't been around much. So many things going on with my company acquiring or being acquired by a competitor. I'm not really sure who I work for at the moment!mHuh?

Anyway, I need some wisdom from y'all. I recently bought a couple of Walthers heavyweight passenger cars... a diner and an RPO car. I wanted to make them a bit more realistic so I got an interior kiit for the diner and I'm looking for a kit for the RPO. This one has eluded me. The Walthers site isn't helpful at all.

I can find some images of the interior but no source for the real thing. If anyone knows where I might one I'd be eternally greatful!

Amanda

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, November 21, 2021 7:33 AM

The only RPO interior that I can find, doing a Google search, is an interior by Gold Rush Bay on eBay and some hobby shops. It is designed for the MDC Roundhouse Overton Coach, but there are references to fitting the Athearn 60' RPO as well. So, maybe this could work for you with your Walthers Heavyweight RPO.

Rich

 

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Sunday, November 21, 2021 9:58 AM

Amanda,

Are you refering to the old Walthers interior kits that had wooden and cast metal details? These came in plastic clamshell cases with prices about $1.00-$4.00 over their run.

These have been out of production for years, and the RPO interior was terrible.

There are companies making 3D printed interiors for passenger cars that look amazing.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Canada, eh?
  • 13,375 posts
Posted by doctorwayne on Sunday, November 21, 2021 1:09 PM

Walthers offered an RPO with a complete interior, and despite it being a model of a Pennsy car, I bought it just because the price was very reasonable.  It was semi-r-t-r...assembled, but unpainted (likely the explanation for the very reasonable cost).

The first thing I did was to square-off the porthole-style windows in the doors.  While they were definitely a Pennsy feature, my intention was to paint and letter the car for my freelanced Elora Gorge & Eastern...

...as you can see the car is pretty-much "stock" as it still has those Pennsy trucks.  I did add window shades to the interior, but, despite the interior detail, there's not really much to see.

This one is a Rivarossi RPO, likely my first RPO, as it's also pretty-much stock, other than the paint and lettering, and a few added details...

Here's another similar Rivarossi car, but lettered for a CNR prototype.  I added windows to the baggage section, and both blinds and bars to the postal section's windows...it's a good copy from a photo of the real one.  There is no interior to be seen...

This final one is an Athearn car, shortened, with some underbody details added and bars on the postal section's windows...

...there's no interior to be seen, as it would have been a waste of time and effort.

Wayne

 

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Sunday, November 21, 2021 1:19 PM

Even in HO, are you sure it's worth the effort and expense?  The only visibility into the RPO car is through two small windows on either side.  I've done a couple of small window structures and one caboose, but my elaborate interior details are very hard to see.

If you must, find some photos, scale them, print them and glue them inside the model.  You can fabricate a shelf from styrene, and add a couple of figures using carpet tacks for stools.

 

 

 

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    July 2018
  • 43 posts
Posted by Monon Railroader on Monday, November 22, 2021 3:41 AM

Thanks for all the replies. I appreciate it.

SO... I found one on eBay and the seller mentioned it should work in the Walthers car. (And... if it doesn't fit? I worked in maintenance in the military. If it don't work get a bigger hammer! Big Smile)  

Worth the time and effort? I'm old, have the time and love to tinker. I'm good! :-)

Amanda

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